Suburban Firehouse

Municipal
Newton, MA

Along a highway of dreary strip malls, inspiration for a fire station is found in the old textile mills of eastern Massachusetts. On the south side, where this historic context is dominant, the building opens up toward expansive views. On the street side, where speeding motorists sneak glimpses of the fire engines, views into the building are prioritized instead. The slender truck bay facilitates parallel access to the busy highway, while also shielding the southern courtyard from traffic sounds, so firefighters can rest between emergency calls.